FetterGroup is First in US to Purchase Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 75 Anicolor Press

FetterGroup (Louisville, KY) is the first U.S. company to purchase a new Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 75 Anicolor press in a 7-color configuration with aqueous coater. The press will be used in the production of uniquely sized decorative labels for FetterGroup’s growing list of clients in several highly regulated markets. The company also provides services to the distilled spirits, wine, healthcare, and specialty consumer packaged goods industries.

A Sustainable Solution

Fetter’s decision to purchase the Speedmaster XL 75 Anicolor machine bespeaks its long habit of investing in state-of-the art technology for the benefit of its customers. In terms of the company’s production metrics, for example,

“Labels are a significant part of FetterGroup’s overall business,” said Ted Hagler, Executive VP, Operations. “Over time, we’ve seen our average sheet count fall and our waste increase. It wasn’t a sustainable proposition. Existing alternative production platforms don’t favor the full scope of the work we do, and when we factored in all of the product requirements, economics, and unique needs, we knew we had to look in a different direction.”

The company works primarily with 60- and 70-lb. one-side coated, C2S and metallized stocks. It had been quality-testing Heidelberg’s small-format Speedmaster XL 52 Anicolor for some time with excellent results, but needed the medium-sized format of the XL 75 to accommodate the size and quantity of the labels it runs. According to Hagler, the new press not only offers the color advantages of its smaller counterpart, but will enable FetterGroup to run multiple-up forms and increase productivity. The company also anticipates the XL 75 with Anicolor inking will cut its set-up times and waste percentages.

In short, said FetterGroup President and CEO Terry Gill, “We see the Speedmaster XL 75 Anicolor as a unique press with digital characteristics that also gives us the best of the offset world in terms of quality, makeready, and format size.”

“Heidelberg’s zoneless, short-inking Anicolor technology has enjoyed great success since its introduction in 2006,” said Clarence Penge, VP Sheetfed Product Management. “The Speedmaster XL 75 Anicolor is a particularly good option for customers, like FetterGroup, which are looking to achieve cost-efficient production of short and very short commercial and package printing runs in the 29” format. Printers who select a Heidelberg Anicolor press also can rest assured they are making both a good business decision, as well as a long-term contribution and commitment to environmental protection.”

Strategically Speaking

The ability to maintain end-to-end control over customer projects is a critical capability in sensitive, data-dependent markets, where updating regulatory information and making sure labels are compliant with current legal standards is an ongoing need. At FetterGroup, the effort to help customers manage costs, increase revenues, and compete effectively extends from its proprietary software platform for digital asset management, to its habit of investing in highly efficient, cost-effective technologies.

“The market demands relevance from the brand owners we serve,” said Dayna Neumann, FetterGroup’s Vice President, Marketing Strategy. “Our primary job is to bring our customers the tools and production platform that will enable them to lower their costs, reduce their cycle times, and increase speed-to-market,” she said. “The new Speedmaster XL 75 Anicolor will have a huge role in this ongoing effort.”

Zero Impact on the Environment

FetterGroup’s pending installation of the carbon-neutral Speedmaster XL 75 Anicolor dovetails neatly with its award-winning emphasis on sustainability. Over the past several years, the company has implemented waste management processes to increase its percentage of solid waste recycling to 80 percent; reduced its energy consumption by 33 percent since 2007; and recycled or recaptured 98 percent of waste generated in the production process. With zoneless inking technology, the Speedmaster XL 75 Anicolor not only lowers paper waste, but also offers complete color stability and cost-effective production of both short- and long-run projects.

A Heidelberg customer for more than 35 years, FetterGroup shares an iron-clad commitment to quality and customer service with its primary litho supplier.